18 Old-Think vs. New-Think

Many years ago, when I was a boy in Missouri, there were a few old men in our community who were respected carpenters. With decades of experience, these men were highly skilled in building things from wood using only a few simple hand tools. Their work might be summarized by a common statement of that period, “Measure twice, cut once.” That saying means they measured a piece of wood twice, literally, before they reached for the saw to take an irreversible action, i.e., cutting the wood. The purpose of the second measurement was to verify the accuracy of the first. If, because of haste or distraction or some error in procedure, their first measurement was inaccurate, the second time to measure the same length would reveal the problem before they cut the wood to the wrong size. Summarized: If you don’t make mistakes, there is no need to go back for corrections and repeats.

Similar in intent is the admonition, “Slow is smooth. Smooth is fast. So slower is faster.” The idea behind this second statement is, obviously, if you complete each step properly, you will rarely make significant mistakes that must be corrected. Consequently, as those old carpenters had learned, you actually get the task done quicker. These two statements are representative of an agrarian lifestyle with limited or expensive resources. They were suitable for that time and place. Back home, when you wanted something done right, you chose one of those old carpenters. It was probably more efficient because there was less waste.

These are prime examples of Old-Think.

But let’s be realistic. We don’t live in an agrarian culture anymore. We live in a modern digital era where technology delivers changes very quickly. A continuous stream of improvements and innovations promises significantly greater efficiency and new alternatives. (Of course, they don’t always deliver on those promises. John Kernahan says there is often a ten-year gap between the inflated promises of an enthusiastic marketing department introducing a new miracle, and the widespread availability of mature, trouble-free, inexpensive consumer products.) Regardless of birthing pangs, however, these changes challenge our old ways of thinking. One hundred years ago, Henry Ford, pioneer of the first mass-produced automobiles, would have asked, “Do you want better horses or do you want something better than horses?” We are learning to New-Think. That means considering all available options without prejudice, then choosing the best one available at that time and under those circumstances. As an expat, one example of New-Think would be your decision to relocate to a new country instead of staying rooted in your hometown.

Old-Think or New-Think? Let me offer another example: Imagine that you must have a minor surgery. Your medical problem is not a life-threatening condition, but it is necessary. Now, you have a choice. Do you want an old doctor with many years of experience to perform the surgery? Or should you choose a young doctor just out of med school and beginning his career? Thinking of those old carpenters, the standard answer has always been, “For my surgery, I want the old doctor who has much experience.” This is Old-Think in action. This response is what most of us learned. Most people will immediately choose the older doctor; the response is automatic. This attitude is not very different from that agrarian society where changes were slow in coming. Our selection is unconsciously based upon the premise that age and experience bring superior skills and knowledge - like those carpenters back in Missouri.

Not so fast! Now, some authorities are telling us that selecting the elderly doctor may not be the best choice. In our modern era, things change very quickly due to advances in technology, research, and the dissemination of new information. Now, those authorities tell us the best answer to that question is you should choose the young doctor. Why? Because the young doctor recently graduated from his medical school with its modern training based upon the latest tools and knowledge. The young doctor has been taught the newest techniques. These were part of his education and surgical training. On the contrary, the older doctor learned his methods years ago; perhaps his knowledge is not as current as we would wish. All other factors being equal, the young doctor with the latest information and practice in the new techniques is the wiser choice. This is an example of New-Think.

Old-Think or New-Think? Which is superior? Especially, which is superior for the expat to adopt? The answer, quite obviously, is that each way of thinking - and the accompanying way of living - has its good features and bad features. Old-Think or New-Think? The best way to answer this question is to emphasize the word think rather than old or new. If we will take the time to explore all possibilities and consider new ways of doing things, we can find the best solution to every situation. Sometimes this will be the old way; sometimes it will be a new way. For this comparison to be effective, however, one must approach this decision without prejudice.

Shortly before his death, Nobel Prize-winning Dr. Albert Schweitzer was asked in an interview what was the biggest problem with man today. Drawing upon his years of experience, his succinct response was that man “just doesn’t think”. That statement was made many years ago but it is still true today. Remember those words of Dr. Schweitzer. If you want to enjoy the best of the expat experience, thinking is a prerequisite. As an expat, you have a unique opportunity to create a lifestyle blending the best of old-think and new-think mindsets. This can only come about after a conscious, unbiased consideration of the best each has to offer and how they might supplement each other. Changing time zones is not enough; an expat mindset is also needed.

Those old carpenters in my hometown were highly respected for their skills and their ability to efficiently produce good work. In modern times, however, we should also look carefully at the possibilities offered by new ways, then compare the alternatives. Old-Think or New-Think? As expats, our day is rife with this challenge. Do you want better horses or something better than horses?